HOWELL – Deerwood Park is receiving a total makeover as construction continues to offer new recreational amenities in the Ramtown section of the community.
The park, which is home to the Howell South Little League, it offered one large play structure (ages 5 to 12), one smaller play structure (ages 3 to 5), baby swings, four little league fields, batting cages, two roller hockey rinks and a refurbished skate park.
In 2022, the Township first began renovations of the park by rehabilitating one of the hockey rinks. The second hockey rink will now be removed and converted into basketball courts, Director of Community Development and Deputy Township Manager Matthew R. Howard said.
In addition, the skate park has been removed and the area will be transformed into pickleball courts.
“The Township is committed to always improving our recreational facilities. Our governing body has made this a priority for administration to focus as they want to ensure that Howell is a great place to live, work and play,” Howard said.
Currently Howell Little League South maintains and utilizes the baseball/softball fields and in 2022 the Township worked with NJ Softball Cricket League (NJSBCL) to install Howell’s first ever cricket field at Deerwood Park (and a second one at Bear Swamp Fields on Maxim Road).
Deerwood Park also contains tot-lots, swings, a kayak launch and dock on Sparrow Lake, roller hockey rink and soon to be added basketball courts and pickle ball courts.
“We noticed the hockey rinks and skate park were underutilized. We also noticed that pickle ball has become extremely popular and the Township does not currently have any courts for use by the general public,” Howard said. “When driving through neighborhoods, we notice that a lot of houses have basketball nets in the driveways and streets. We wanted to rehabilitate the existing facilities at the park to provide these new recreational opportunities for the community.”
The Township is utilizing grant money to perform all the renovations for Deerwood Park. Howard said $74,000 was made available to them through New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
“We took comments from the public, listened to complaints about the condition of the hockey rinks and skate park and worked within the guidelines provided for the grant money. Over time, we have heard regularly about the desire for pickle ball and basketball and saw a great opportunity at Deerwood Park,” Howard said.
The removal of the hockey rink began at the end of October. Within the next couple months, majority of the groundwork and paving will take place. Final touches including paint and striping are slated to be completed in the spring.
“We hope all construction will be complete, including painting the courts, in spring 2024 or early summer,” Howard said.
